ESSENTIAL CHECKS

1

Oil leaks from the main rear seal between the engine and gearbox are a pain to fix because of poor access.

You can fix it yourself, but a specialist will charge £300-£500. The part itself costs just £18.25.

2

The crankcase breather

pipes go brittle and break, leading to uneven running and a reduction in power. The pipes are hidden under the intake manifold; it’s worth replacing them every 80k miles or so. A kit costs £100.

3

The Positive Crankcase Ventilation (PCV) system clogs up leading to a build-up of pressure in the crankcase, blown seals and the engine management light coming on.

4

The turbo return pipe seal hardens then fails, leading to the car’s underside being coated in oil; replacements are just £2 and it’s a straightforward DIY job done in an hour. Valve stem seals also fail; look for blue smoke from the exhaust on cold start-up. They’re easily replaced, but proper Volvo sealant should be used when reassembling.

5

The timing belt must be replaced every 80k miles or eight years (1997-99 cars) or 90k miles/10 years (2000 onwards). If the belt breaks, the engine isn’t worth saving.

6

The electric hood

mechanism can fail due to hydraulic leaks, pump failure, blocked drains, a misaligned frame or faulty sensors. Effective repairs can prove to be costly.

7

Electronic throttle body issues can cause an erratic idle and cause the engine to go into limp mode (from 1999 MY) bringing on the ETS (Electronic Throttle System) and EML (Engine

Management Light) warning lights. A software update is required if a new one is fitted.

8

Coil packs can

cause an intermittent misfire, although they’re easy to replace. Care is needed when reconnecting the wires, as it’s easy to trap them under the top cover when the plastic sheath deteriorates.